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Hey guys, just looking for any friendly advice on heading to Columbus for the big game this weekend.  I bought 6 tix through Purdue and they gave us what look to be amazing seats for a roadtrip, row 5 in section 8AA, hopefully David Bell scores a TD on a deep fade toward us. Kind of stinks we won't get to see Script Ohio, but I did the last time I was there.

Really looking forward to going the Horseshoe for the 1st time since that gutpunch of an OT loss in 2003 with Joe Tiller's most talented team (13 were drafted in next 2 years), in a battle of top ten teams that Purdue led most of the way that was for a piece of the Big Ten (Mich won title and had tiebreaker having pounded us in Ann Arbor for the umpteenth time.). While I love to beat Ohio State in both revenue sports more than any other (when I consider them one), and I fully expect a loss they truly do have TBDBITL and Ohio Stadium is immaculate, the top college venue I've been in, so in preseason I decided there was no way I was missing this game.

I will have my 12 y.o. son, another Purdue buddy, then my sons best pal and his parents who are OSU fans.  It will be a fun day of friendly banter.

If we wanted to tailgate with a couple cars, is there a natural place within a 15 min walk of the stadium, or do you pretty much need to be a big time donor or know people to get passes?

We want a safe setting without fans that will throw bottles at us (happened a couple times walking to the stadium in 03).  I know there's much less room there being in a city vs a setting like in WLaf or Bloomington, or even South Bend where there are huge grass spaces in local neighborhoods where anybody can drive up and park for $20 and have a great time.

Or will tailgating will be too hard to pull off?  If so, should we just barhop?
What are your recommendations on what places and where?
I would prefer a fun raucous atmosphere, happy to talk it up with fans, it simply needs to be a place we can bring kids.

And if we we do get seats at a restaurant, should we just keep them until we're ready to walk to the game because will encounter waits every where?  or is there lots of coming and goings on gameday typically?

Thanks

.

Welcome to Columbus, and I hope you enjoy the game! (but not the final score.)
Football Parking Map: https://osu.campusparc.com/media/tdrolfyp/2021-football-parking-map.pdf
For Public Parking you will want one of the green spots, they are all $20.

How early are you going to get there? IMHO By far the best place to public park and tailgate is at the Ag Engineering Building. (From the stadium, just North is Woody Hayes Drive, head west across the bridge and it's the first building on the north side of Woody Hayes Rd.) But to get that "premium" lot you'll need to get there before 7am.

The next spot, I tend to direct people to for tailgating is the Fawcett Center. But it will shut down by 9am. (From the stadium, go North two streets to Lane Ave. head west across the bridge, and North again on Olentangy River Rd. The first building is Longaberger it's permit parking. The next building is Fawcett Center, and it has public tailgating.

I used to recommend the Hospital open fields next (South of Stadium), but that area is under construction, and I'm not seeing anything on the map.

Then finally is West Campus Parking (South of Beavis Hall) for Car Tailgating; and Fred Taylor Lots, (North West of Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium) for RV Tailgating. Both of those lots offer shuttle bus service to get to the stadium.


Personally, my group has stopped tailgating, and now hop around. There are lines, but stuff moves along.
I park on the FREE residential streets North East of Campus (South of Hudson, East of High St.) And walk down to Buckeye Donuts (1998 N. High St.) for a tasty start. We then meander down (I use the word "down", because there is an ever so slightly decline as you go towards the river.) Lane and stop at at Varsity Club (278 W. Lane) for a beer. (actually the PSU game we went farther down because Varsity Club was way to packed (There is like 8 outdoor party areas that go from Varsity Club towards the River Watch Tower, all offering beer and music.) We next wander back up Lane and get Pizza and Fries at Tommy's Pizza (174 W. Lane) And the Final thing we do is go to the area North of the Stadium South of St. Johns. Arena and there is a HUGE FAMILY FRIENDLY FESTIVAL. They have a outdoor multiple screen TV turned to sports, Live Band, beer, and numerous food trucks, SWAG (Stuff We All Get), and merchandise/memorabilia.  The OSU Football team walks through 2 hours before kick off, and the Marching band has their final practice in St. Johns (called Skull Session, and it's pretty neat to check out too,) then march to the stadium. We don't stay for the band walk, because you then get stuck behind them and miss them entering the stadium, which I think is way cooler than watching them march down the street.

If you have more questions or want directions to anything let me know.

Hell they're already done with Keggs/Eggs by that time J/K

Did you survive? 

This thread is old as sin but I never replied.

I ended up not going to the 'Shoe as our trip was blown up by  the family I was going to the game with all coming down with the 'vid.  Since my son's BFF wasn't going, he ran in an offseason cross country meet that Saturday instead so I my next trip to OSU will have to wait for another time.

When I saw this pop up, I thought a lost a couple of weeks, and that our jersey countdown is all screwed up.

LoL, since the thread title just says Horseshoe and nothing about a game I thought maybe Metallica was playing there and our resident metal-head was going for a concert. 

Wear Michigan gear with a blue wind breaker with "Ohio State Sux" taped on the back.  Put me in your will.